Eileen A. (“Irish”) Bergin Bergeron, age 96, went home to God and the communion of saints and angels on August 23, 2026 at home, in the care of family and St. Croix Hospice.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26 at the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose.
Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the chapel.
Irish (nicknamed by Ernie) was born April 25, 1930. She was the only child of Kathleen and Lloyd Bergin. Raised on 5th street, Mason City, Iowa, Eileen was identifiable by her curly, strikingly red hair, bright blue grey eyes, and quick smile.
Eileen attended St. Joseph Parish schools from the elementary grades through high school. Encouraged by her Irish priest, she continued her Catholic education in MN, at the College of St. Benedict.
In her first year of study at St. Ben’s, she met Ernest J Bergeron, a ‘Johnnie,’ hailing from Oklee, MN.
Intending to pursue an elementary school teaching certificate, Eileen transferred to Iowa State Teacher’s College. It was during that year, Eileen accepted Ernie’s proposal, changing the course of her life. They were married in August 1950.
In 1952, Ernie joined the high school faculty in Melrose, MN. There, the young French and Irish couple learned to navigate the landscape of a closely connected, predominantly German Catholic town in Melrose.
The Bergeron first family home was the ‘little brown house’ located across the street from Bertha and John Lang. The Langs were mentors, generous neighbors, and daughters Jane, Gretchen, Sylvia, and Georgia became lifelong friends. A fifth Bergeron daughter prompted the family’s move to a house on the Sauk River in 1962. It was there that Eileen and Ernie raised five girls.
Eileen was known for being hardworking, thrifty, and thoughtful. She served her community as a volunteer for various causes, was active in the American Legion Axillary, and participated in the life of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was committed to Democratic ideals and cherished her Irish roots.
Eileen worked for a time as a home health aide for Stearns County, serving the clients in her care with kindness and attention. For nearly eight years, she and Ernie assisted in the management of the Village Townhomes in Melrose. Many winters found them in a McAllen, Texas retirement park where Eileen became the unofficial social activities director.
In later years, Eileen cared for Ernie who experienced progressive cognitive decline. He required end of life care at the VA in St. Cloud, where he passed in August 2013. After Ermie’s death, Eileen lived independently in her townhome until age 92, when she moved to Sartell, MN, to live with daughter #4, Amy. Eileen’s final years in Sartell, were attended by family, neighbors, and friends. She received extraordinary care and support from St. Croix Hospice from January 2024 until her death.
Proceeding Eileen in death are her daughter, Mary (1953-2026) and infant granddaughter Kathleen Ann McCoy (1980).
Eileen’s surviving family includes, Ann (Dennis) McCoy, Wally Westerberg, son-in-law, Sara (Duncan-deceased) Whyte, Amy Bergeron, Paula Bergeron; grandchildren, Pat (Jennifer) McCoy, Kevin (EmilyMae) McCoy, Ben (Misty Rickenberger) Westerberg, Emy Westerberg (Soren Larson), Jean (Justin) Goette, Emily (Tom) Budinger; great-grandchildren, Zoey and Lily McCoy, Ada, Owen, Evan Goette, and Amy and Lizzy Budinger.
Memorials can be made to support the St. Benedict Monastery Foundation (envelopes provided), or a charity of your choice that uplifts the lives of others, so that, “In all things, God may be glorified”
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
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